A Masculine Makeover

A Masculine Makeover

Even the most die-hard family guy needs some alone time. Take Kirker Butler. The Los Angeles–based writer longed for a quiet retreat where he could craft his TV scripts while still being close to his wife and young daughter. "I wanted some bells and whistles, too," admits Kirker, who hoped a big flat-screen TV, a leather recliner, and shelves for his sports memorabilia and collectibles would make the room just as much man cave as office.

Shown: The designer cleverly incorporated the footings as the bases for mahogany bookcases and a raised reading nook.

Before the Renovation

Before the Renovation

Unfortunately, the only spot available was a dreary storage area off the garage. The space, which had once held a gas furnace, was small, with uneven floors and large concrete footings designed to anchor the house in an earthquake or a landslide.

Shown: The concrete footings gave the dreary, unfinished storage space a bunker look.

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Glow with the Flow

Glow with the Flow

Designer Kyle Schuneman set about giving the dank room a library look with dark mahogany millwork and built-in shelving. General contractor Mark Aller laid a floating wood floor over the uneven concrete and clad the footings in drywall. Now the formerly cold, dark space is a treasured getaway for the man of the house. "I've been thinking about this space for seven years," says Kirker. "It turned out awesome."

Shown: A new window, twice as tall as the original, was installed for more light and air. In the corner, a gas meter was boxed out with drywall and is now accessed through an exterior panel.

Design Doohickies

Design Doohickies

Collectibles gathered over time make the space unique. Says Kirker, "A man cave should be personal. I suggest a Star Wars collection from your childhood that your wife doesn't want in the living room."

Spotlight with Soft Lighting

Spotlight with Soft Lighting

The library gets plenty of soft, warm light from sconces installed on the posts dividing the bookcases.

Homeowner tip: "Put electric outlets everywhere—the walls, the floor, everywhere! Then, when you find a really cool lamp made out of a beer bottle, you'll be able to put it exactly where you want."—Kirker Butler, Los Angeles

A Masculine Makeover

Even the most die-hard family guy needs some alone time. Take Kirker Butler. The Los Angeles–based writer longed for a quiet retreat where he could craft his TV scripts while still being close to his wife and young daughter. "I wanted some bells and whistles, too," admits Kirker, who hoped a big flat-screen TV, a leather recliner, and shelves for his sports memorabilia and collectibles would make the room just as much man cave as office.

Shown: The designer cleverly incorporated the footings as the bases for mahogany bookcases and a raised reading nook.

Before the Renovation

Unfortunately, the only spot available was a dreary storage area off the garage. The space, which had once held a gas furnace, was small, with uneven floors and large concrete footings designed to anchor the house in an earthquake or a landslide.

Shown: The concrete footings gave the dreary, unfinished storage space a bunker look.

Glow with the Flow

Designer Kyle Schuneman set about giving the dank room a library look with dark mahogany millwork and built-in shelving. General contractor Mark Aller laid a floating wood floor over the uneven concrete and clad the footings in drywall. Now the formerly cold, dark space is a treasured getaway for the man of the house. "I've been thinking about this space for seven years," says Kirker. "It turned out awesome."

Shown: A new window, twice as tall as the original, was installed for more light and air. In the corner, a gas meter was boxed out with drywall and is now accessed through an exterior panel.

Design Doohickies

Collectibles gathered over time make the space unique. Says Kirker, "A man cave should be personal. I suggest a Star Wars collection from your childhood that your wife doesn't want in the living room."

Spotlight with Soft Lighting

The library gets plenty of soft, warm light from sconces installed on the posts dividing the bookcases.

Homeowner tip: "Put electric outlets everywhere—the walls, the floor, everywhere! Then, when you find a really cool lamp made out of a beer bottle, you'll be able to put it exactly where you want."—Kirker Butler, Los Angeles